From Architectural Marvel to City of Lights
From Architectural Marvel to City of Lights: Exploring Iconic Cities – Chicago & New York !
Hello Readers, here to share our trip to east coast of USA.
Date : May – June 2025
Our recent East Coast adventure took us on an incredible 10-day whirlwind through two of America’s most dynamic cities: Chicago and New York.
From soaring skyscrapers and deep-dish delights to iconic landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods, this trip was an unforgettable blend of culture, culinary explorations, and endless exploration.
Join me as I recap the highlights of our journey!
( Note : We are Pure VEGETARIAN , so all eatery places are accordingly chosen )
Part 1 : Chicago – The Windy City’s Charms
Our East Coast escapade kicked off in the magnificent Windy City, Chicago!
After an early morning flight from SFO, we landed ready to dive into its urban charm.
Our home base was in a Hotel, the Eurostars Magnificent Mile, put us right in the heart of the action.
Day 1 : Architectural Wonders & Riverside Rambles
Chicago wasted no time in impressing us.
We kicked off our culinary journey with delicious Italian fare at Pizzeria Portofino and a must-have stop at Garrett Popcorn Shop – a true Chicago institution!
The afternoon was dedicated to soaking in the city’s unique atmosphere with a leisurely riverside walk trail.
The absolute highlight – A captivating Chicago Architectural Tour by Riverside Cruise. Learning about the stories behind those stunning skyscrapers from the water was an absolute treat.
Our day concluded with a fantastic Mediterranean dinner at a restaurant ABA, a perfect end to a busy first day.
Day 2: Magnificent Miles & Millennium Magic
Sunday began with a truly unique coffee experience at the Starbucks Reserve Roastery on Magnificent Mile.
This five-story coffee haven was bustling, but worth the wait for its incredible ambiance and diverse coffee creations (and that olive oil cake!).
We then immersed ourselves in retail therapy along the Magnificent Mile, a shopper’s paradise lined with elite brands.
Our Lunch at Velvet Tacos was a delightful surprise, offering amazing and inventive taco creations.
Post-lunch, we ventured towards Millennium Park, where the iconic Cloud Gate (or ‘The Bean’) provided endless photo opportunities. Also Crown Fountain which is an interactive video sculpture featuring LED displays of people’s faces, loved the children playing under this fountain and enjoying. There was an huge outdoor amphitheater, an outdoor concert venue hosting various musical performances.
For panoramic views, we took a bus to the Alder Planetarium area, offering a stunning riverside skyline perspective of Chicago.
Our walk continued towards Navy Pier, passing by the aquarium and charming fountains.
A sweet stop at Molly’s Cupcakes re-energized us before a delicious
Thai dinner at Silver Spoon, which was quite near to our place of stay.
By the end of the day, our walk step count confirmed a truly epic exploration – nearly 27,000 steps in a day !!! Surprisingly none of us felt tired !!!!
Day 3 : Morning at Lincoln Park ZOO
Our third day in Chicago started with a delightful breakfast at Goddess and the Baker, where their Turkish coffee and diverse breakfast options were a hit. It made our morning !
A short car ride took us to the Lincoln Park Zoo, a beautiful and free urban oasis, perfect for a leisurely morning exploring wildlife. To my surprise, it is completely FREE FOR ALL ZOO !!
My first of it’s kind ZOO visit so far.
Lincoln Park Zoo, is a renowned free zoo located in Chicago.
We were truly amazed for its dedication to wildlife, conservation, and education, offering a unique and accessible experience for families and kids.
The zoo boasts a wide variety of animal exhibits, including Lions & other big cats, polar bears, penguins, gorillas, and more, with over 100-200 species, may be more !!
All in all, it was superb morning and fun visit to this ZOO !
Day 3, 4 & 5: Family, and a Celebration!
3 Days of Wedding event & Pure Joy in Chicago with Family & Friends
The last leg of our Chicago trip turned into a heartwarming celebration of love and tradition !
We had the joy of being part of a beautiful wedding of our friends.
✨ A vibrant Haldi ceremony with a traditional Kerala Sadhya &
🌿 A graceful Mehendi night
“The venue felt straight out of a fairytale — a stunning lakeside home that blended natural beauty with heartfelt celebration. From the serene outdoor ceremonies to lively gatherings on the lawn, this lakeside home offered the perfect mix of elegance and intimacy. A setting where love, laughter, and nature came together in perfect harmony. Truly a picture-perfect backdrop for memories we’ll cherish forever.”
💍 A grand wedding day at Ashyana Banquet in the morning with Traditional Indian Rituals
🎶 And a fun-filled Sangeet & reception to wrap it all up at the same venue !
Oh, and the morning Jalebi-Fafda-Sandwich breakfast & Delicious Indian Lunch ?
Totally unforgettable! 😋
Grateful for all the laughter, colors, music, and memories.
Our cozy base at Holiday Inn Express in Downers Grove made it even more comfortable.
#WeddingVibes #ChicagoDiaries #IndianWeddingMagic #FamilyTime #DownersGroveMoments
Part 2: New York City – The Unforgettable Pulse (May – June 2025)
After an incredible time in Chicago, we boarded our flight to New York, eager to experience the electric energy of the Big Apple!
#Chicago, #NewYork, #ChiTown, #BigApple, #WindyCity, #NYC, #Travel, #ExploreChicago, #ExploreNewYork, #Vacation, #CityBreak, #WeekendGetaway, and #CityThatNeverSleeps
#MagnificentMile, #TimesSquare, #CentralPark, #MyChicagoAdventure, #MyNewYorkStory, #Travelgram, #InstaTravel.
GoodSoul.in 